Cambodia

Cambodia Travel Guide

For many adventurous travellers the allure of an
unspoilt and little-explored country is irresistible. Emerging from
a violent past of human rights atrocities, war, and political
instability, Cambodia is steadily recovering and slowly emerging as
a top destination on the Southeast Asian travel trail. The
magnificent 'Lost City' of Angkor is undoubtedly one of the most
magical tourist attractions in the world and a bucket-list
destination for many, drawing hordes of travellers to Cambodia
single-handedly.

Modern day Cambodia is the successor kingdom of
the powerful Khmer Empire which ruled most of what is today
Vietnam, Laos and Thailand from the 9th to 14th centuries. Although
the country does not have the same volume of famous attractions as
some of its neighbours, the Cambodian people are incredibly
friendly, providing a warm welcome for travellers and authentic
glimpses into their culture. This friendliness is amazing in and of
itself, given the suffering that Cambodians had to endure during
the three-and-a-half year reign of Pol Pot, which resulted in the
deaths of an estimated two million people. The Khmer Rouge, under
Pol Pot's leadership, altered the face of the country. Overnight,
cities were emptied and property destroyed, the economy was left in
tatters, and so were the lives of countless families. This period
between 1975 and 1979 represents a particularly dark one in the
nation's history.

The horrors of the Khmer Rouge are commemorated by
fascinating museums and sites that are an important part of the
Cambodian itinerary. However, those who shy away from exploring the
infamous Killing Fields, will find that the country offers many
more peaceful and cheerful diversions. Beautiful moments can be had
in the snatches of friendly conversations, in the tranquillity
ushered in by Buddhist prayer, or in the sounds of workers in the
rice paddies. One can also search out the charms of the
French-flavoured capital city Phnom Penh, drift past sleepy
riverside locations on a traditional boat and best of all, explore
the illustrious ancient history of the region at sites like Angkor
Wat.

The scenery is breath-taking, shaped by landscapes
of lush green forests and jungles, banana plantations, agricultural
fields, and mighty rivers. People here live modest and simple
lifestyles and the populace is largely rural. It is not a place of
fast and efficient transport or luxurious hotels and resort
pleasures. Infrastructure is basic and travelling between
destinations can be quite an experience - fun for some and
frustrating for others. The country's world-class attractions and
less-explored reaches, golden beaches, and islands beckon the
enterprising traveller, and make Cambodia a unique travel
destination.